27.8 C
Philippines
Thursday, March 28, 2024

5:12 AM

27.8 C
Philippines
Thursday, March 28, 2024

5:12 AM

Army’s 65IB helps LGU in relief packing for Kagay-anons amid COVID-19 crisis

MAMBUAYA, Cagayan de Oro City (PIA)—To speed up the repacking of relief goods for Kagay-anons who are affected by the outbreak of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), troopers of the 65th Infantry “Stalwart” Battalion, 9th Infantry “Spear” Division, Philippine Army work tirelessly together with Cagayan de Oro City government, City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD), and other civilian volunteer groups in the stockpiling of family food packs.

This is in response to the authorities’ call for everybody to stay at home while the government declares a public health emergency due to COVID-19.

Lt. Col. Benjamin Pajarito Jr, 65th Infantry Battalion commander, said the food packs that contain rice, noodles, sardines, beef loaf, and corned beef will be distributed soon after the CSWD has turned these over to the barangay officials who are tasked to handle the house-to-house distribution, prioritizing the most affected sectors of society.

“This supports the idea that the ‘Bayanihan’ spirit is still very much alive. We need to join hands with the community and pool resources together to help make the world COVID-free by fighting off the coronavirus now causing the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said. 

These can reduce the need for people’s mobility in buying families’ daily needs, thus, reducing the risk of exposure to coronavirus, he added.

To ensure the safety of workers throughout the repacking process, the volunteers followed the protocols set by the Department of Health such as wearing of facemask and observing proper social distancing.

The local chief executives, meanwhile, said that the food packs beneficiaries are those listed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as indigent and those whose daily earnings were badly affected as the local government units implement the enhanced community quarantine.

“With this, we urge everyone to support the government’s efforts and stay in your homes to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We are doing our part, so should you. Stay at Home and Save lives,” LtCol. Pajarito said. (65IB/PIA10)